December 8

     “Men know it not, but the tidings fill heaven with rejoicing. With a deeper and more tender interest the holy beings from the world of light are drawn to the earth. The whole world is brighter for His presence. Above the hills of Bethlehem are gathered an innumerable throng of angels. They wait the signal to declare the glad news to the world. Had the leaders in Israel been true to their trust, they might have shared the joy of heralding the birth of Jesus. But now they are passed by. God declares, "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground." "Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness." Isa. 44:3; Ps. 112:4. To those who are seeking for light, and who accept it with gladness, the bright rays from the throne of God will shine.

In the fields where the boy David had led his flock, shepherds were still keeping watch by night. Through the silent hours they talked together of the promised Saviour, and prayed for the coming of the King to David's throne. "And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

      The shepherds get to hear the news first. Nobody else is listening, so why not the shepherds?

     On the other hand, why would the shepherds listen and no-one else? In those days shepherds weren’t exactly part of the top echelon of society. Shepherds were the lowest of the low. Let’s face it, have you smelled a shepherd recently? The lanolin from a sheep’s wool is rather pervasive. Hardly a smell, more of a stink really. No, you don’t want a shepherd sitting next to you in your favourite pew at church.

     But that may be the reason why the shepherds are willing to look for a Saviour. Nobody else wants them!

     On the other hand there is a beautiful symbolism to the shepherds response.  Now who ate lambs in those days? The honest answer is that very few people could afford to. The history books tell us that most people were vegetarian, or ate limited amounts of meat. So what where they keeping sheep up in the fields for? Sacrifice.

     Those angels met the very men who were helping to make sure that there were enough sacrificial victims for the people to be forgiven. They were invited by the angel’s to meet their very own lamb. Thank God they were looking for the Lamb.

     “Through the silent hours they talked together of the promised Saviour, and prayed for the coming of the King to David's throne.”

So what are you going to do?